ALFA Update http://www.alfa.org Recently, a husband and wife, both in their 90s, began playing a piano as they waited for a doctors appointment. The result was a viral video on YouTube, widespread press coverage, and public appreciation for the couples humorous outlook on aging http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1150&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT The deadline for the lowest registration rate available for the ALFA 2010 Conference & Expo is fastapproaching. Take advantage of the Early Bird rate until April 9 and participate in the most important event in senior living http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1148&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT ALFA provides senior living communities a free quarterly enewsletter, Senior Living Connection. The new consumer publication is a valuable resource for seniors, their friends, and family members http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1067&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT ALFA and other organizations in the senior living space are supporting a new national survey aimed at collecting data about assisted living employee vacancy, retention, and turnover. The survey deadline has been extended to March 26 http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1147&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT In latestage research, an experimental drug called Dimebon has failed to show it can improve thinking ability and overall daily function over a sixmonth period among individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimers disease. Among all U.S. drug trials focused on Alzheimers treatment, Dimebon was closest to FDA approval. However, additional research could make the drug available to seniors in need after additional research trials are complete http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1143&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Hydrolized vegetable protein (HVP), a common ingredient in a wide array of food products, is the focus of an FDA recall. The salmonella contamination can cause sometimes deadly infections in seniors... http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1144&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Residents, family, and others who pay for an individuals care in an assisted living community may be eligible to deduct these expenses for federal income tax purposes. Such information gives providers another tool regarding the affordability of assisted living when working with seniors and their family members http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1146&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT If something goes wrong in the care environment, saying Im sorry isnt necessarily an admission of wrongdoing. In fact, it may even help keep you out of court. http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1145&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Giving good advice isnt what makes leaders effective in a mentoring relationship, says Kathy Kram, professor of organizational behavior at the Boston University School of Management. Rather, there are two main strategies great mentors should master if they want to succeed in their roles. The first is to be a skillful and active listener http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1149&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Unless there is an immediate safety issue, compromise may be the best way to curb the behindthewheel time for seniors whose driving skills are waning. Here are several signs that an older drive should curtail driving http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1137&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT The next issue of Assisted Living Executive will feature the highly anticipated annual Largest Providers list and theres been some reshuffling at the top of the list http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1140&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT The CDCappointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says a new, more powerful flu vaccine should be a consideration for the nations seniors http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1136&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Especially when clevel executives are looking to hire management staff, there are a bevy of factors that go into the hiring process. But above all else, they should look for integrity, says American Express CEO Ken Chenault. Company leaders must seek team members whose words are consistent with their actions, says Chenault, and he offers several sample questions for these important interviews http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1141&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT CEO Felicia Donahue was recently visiting communities operated by her company, Bluebird Assisted Living, when she noticed that some upholstery and furniture was beginning to look worn and a few walls had scuff marks and could use a new paint job. Faced with uncertainty about how an unstable economy would affect moveins, Bluebirds leadership had postponed plans for rehabilitating interiors last fall and even had put off some regular touchups that the company used to do annually. http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=975&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Residents, family, and others who pay for an individuals care in an assisted living community may be eligible to deduct these expenses for federal income tax purposes. Such information gives providers another tool regarding the affordability of assisted living when working with seniors and their family members http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1138&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Booth space at the ALFA 2010 Conference & Expo, May 2527 at the Phoenix Convention Center, is selling out fast. Make your companys booth reservation today, and go to www.alfa.org/conference to download the Exhibitors Prospectus http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1112&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT Seniors with poor vision, especially those with untreated vision problems, may be at higher risk of developing dementia than seniors with better vision. A study that began in 1992 has found that seniors who had poor vision were more likely to develop dementia over the next 8.5 years. These findings highlight seniors critical need for quality care, including the residentfocused care they receive in professionally managed senior living communities http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1135&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT The National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF), the firstever national study of assisted living and residential care communities is scheduled to start collecting data in April 2010. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) is conducting this new study to provide national estimates of these places and their residents http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1139&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 1 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT ALFAs overwhelmingly successful Advocacy FlyIn this month is chronicled via the organizations Flickr stream, where youll also find photos of other recent ALFA events... http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1132&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Fiftyfour percent of Americans believe researchers will find a cure for Alzheimers disease in their lifetimes, according to a recent CBS News report, which also examines the latest clinical trials underway and Medicare costs associated with treating individuals with Alzheimers http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1127&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT A threepart Webinar series called Creating Home Access to Nature will present researchbased outdoor design solutions for seniorserving residential settings http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1129&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT In any company or organization, there are two purposes at work, says Nikos Mourkogiannis, author and leadership consultant, the purpose of the enterprise and the purpose of the individuals who work for that enterprise. Once executives achieve the goal of strategically integrating these purposes, theyll achieve their company goals http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1130&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT From securing appropriate powerofattorney documents to working with an ombudsman, providers have several strategies in place for helping residents with important decisions regarding their care. Three senior living executives weigh in on their best courses of action when a vulnerable resident with little family support needs their help http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=621&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT The first 10 grants from the ALFA Haiti Relief Fund have been awarded. The initiative, which launched this month with $10,000, quickly received more grant requests than it can fund. ALFA urges providers and individuals to donate funds http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1133&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT ALFAs social media outlets keep members in touch with the organization and its initiatives in a variety of ways. Tap these sources to get it on the latest news and conversations http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1131&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT The use of medical technology, such as MRI and CT scans, has increased dramatically, according to the latest CDC report on the nations health. The population as a whole is also taking more medications http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1128&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Being an informed and savvy advocate of senior living just got a lot easier. The Assisted Living Federation of America has launched the ALFA State Legislative & Regulatory Tracking Service. By tapping this new online tool, members of the organization receive uptotheminute email alerts about statespecific legislative news and regulatory developments affecting the senior living business http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1125&SnID=1052440871 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Even the healthiest, most engaged senior living residents may suffer from bouts of depressionparticularly if theyve recently experienced the loss of a friend http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1120&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT Recent research suggests that being overweight may be less harmful to seniors than younger people and that dieting may not be helpful for seniors who are over the age of 70 http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1109&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT The Social Security Administration will add earlyonset Alzheimers disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative, which will decrease the wait time for benefits http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1123&SnID=1052440871 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT